Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular electrode system, and its use, for facilitating the introduction of a macromolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body or plant. The modular electrode system comprises a plurality of needle electrodes; a hypodermic needle; an electrical connector that provides a conductive link from a programmable constant-current pulse controller to the plurality of needle electrodes; and a power source. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an operator can grasp the plurality of needle electrodes that are mounted on a support structure and firmly insert the them into the selected tissue in a body or plant. The macromolecules are then delivered via the hypodermic needle into the selected tissue. The programmable constant-current pulse controller is activated and constant-current electrical pulse is applied to the plurality of needle electrodes.

Abstract: One aspect of the current invention is an optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid (e.g. pAV0201). This new plasmid comprise a therapeutic element, and a replication element. The therapeutic element of the new plasmid comprises a eukaryotic promoter; a 5′ untranslated region (“UTR”); a codon-optimized-eukaryotic therapeutic gene sequence; and a poly adenylation signal. The therapeutic elements of this plasmid are operatively linked and located in a first operatively-linked arrangement. Additionally, the optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid comprises replication elements, wherein the replication elements are operatively linked and located in a second operatively-linked arrangement. The replication elements comprise a selectable marker gene promoter, a ribosomal binding site, and an origin of replication.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to compositions and methods for plasmid-mediated supplementation. The compositions and method are useful for retarding the growth of the tumor, and retarding cachexia, wasting, anemia and other effects that are commonly associated in cancer bearing animals. Overall, the embodiments of the invention can be accomplished by delivering an effective amount of a nucleic acid expression construct that encodes a GHRH or functional biological equivalent thereof into a tissue of an animal and allowing expression of the encoded gene in the animal. For example, when such a nucleic acid sequence is delivered into the specific cells of the animal tissue specific constitutive expression is achieved. Furthermore, external regulation of the GHRH or functional biological equivalent thereof gene can be accomplished by utilizing inducible promoters that are regulated by molecular switch molecules, which are given to the animal.

Abstract: Plasmid DNA delivered by injection/electroporation to the skeletal muscle can be expressed, and physiologic levels of transgene could be achieved into the circulation. Nevertheless, stabilization of naked DNA may be required and necessary in some cases, as prolonged storage at different temperatures before usage, injection into a large number of animals, etc. It is imperative that the associated compound should not be toxic to the cells (e.g. muscle cells) or cause breakage of plasmid DNA. It would be preferable for the coated DNA to have a similar or increased uptake into the target cells. Low molecular weight poly-L-glutamate compounds have all the desired properties. It was determined that mole/mole ratio DNA/PLG is the optimum concentration for gene therapeutic applications to the skeletal muscle, resulting in increased expression of the transgene, with no damage to the target tissue. Furthermore, stabilization of plasmid DNA by PLG has never been observed or described in the literature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a computer system in response to a stimulus from a universal serial bus (USB) peripheral provides a mechanism for powering up a computer system or restoring it from a suspended mode of operation. The apparatus includes a controllable power supply and a non-standard protocol using the USB wire connections, to provide a method for polling the peripheral to determine if activity has occurred which a host computer system should use to trigger activation.

Abstract: A combination advertising and warning sign for mounting in a retail store to display promotional materials and warn of spills and other hazardous conditions includes a housing and a movable warning arm. The housing has a front cover removably hinged to a horizontal edge of a base member. The housing can take a closed position in which the cover and base form a closed cavity concealing the warning arm. When the housing is closed, a display region for mounting the promotional material is visible at a front exterior of the cover. The housing can be opened by pivoting the cover about the hinges. When the housing is open, warning indicia are revealed and the warning arm can be pivoted horizontally to an extended position substantially perpendicular to the housing. A switch-activated audio alarm disposed within the housing cavity can also be operated.

Abstract: A connector (10) includes a housing (34) and an arm (43) pivotally connected to the housing (34). A hook (48) is formed on one end of the arm (43) and a spring (49) is positioned between the arm (43) and the housing (34). The connector (10) can be used to attach two items of many configurations together, but it is particularly suited to attach strap ends of an item such as a halter (11) having a strap (12) and a strap (13) interconnected by a plurality of tab straps (20, 21, 22). The strap (12) is interrupted to form a portion (32) carrying the connector (10) and another portion (31) carrying an o-ring (29) which can be engaged between the hook (48) and the housing (34).

Abstract: Growth is improved by utilizing growth enhancement potential methodology to administer a nucleic acid sequence, such as GHRH or an analog, to a female animal, preferably through a parenteral route of administration. Piglets born from sows injected with DNA encoding GHRH are larger, and effects are demonstrated in subsequent pregnancies without additional administration(s) of the vector.

Abstract: An intelligent network interface monitors activity states of a client and reports them to a network manager using a single network connection. The network interface monitors interrupts occurring on the client, derives activity states from the interrupts, and logs the activity states on the network interface. An activity state specifies whether the client is in a hung state, but may also specify whether the client is off, sleeping, inactive, or active. The network interface may periodically report the activity states to the network manager or report upon receiving a command. The network interface is preferably powered full time using a trickle power supply and therefore operates even when the remainder of the client is off. By including a processor or specialized logic on the network interface, the interface operates independently of the client operating system and therefore monitors and reports even when the client malfunctions.

Abstract: A connector (10) includes a housing (34) and an arm (43) pivotally connected to the housing (34). A hook (48) is formed on one end of the arm (43) and a spring (49) is positioned between the arm (43) and the housing (34). The connector (10) can be used to attach two items of many configurations together, but it is particularly suited to attach strap ends of an item such as a halter (11) having a strap (12) and a strap (13) interconnected by a plurality of tab straps (20, 21, 22). The strap (12) is interrupted to form a portion (32) carrying the connector (10) and another portion (31) carrying an o-ring (29) which can be engaged between the hook (48) and the housing (34).

Abstract: A seal for an opening defined by a sidewall portion of the pressurizable tank. The tank contains desiccant for drying gases which pass through the desiccant. An elongate antenna extends from an interior portion to an exterior portion of the tank and is used for carrying microwave energy to the desiccant for regeneration of the desiccant. The seal has an insulator with an interior surface for receiving engagement with the antenna at the opening of the tank. In one embodiment, the interior surface of the insulator is tapered such that a distance between opposing portions of the insulator reduces as the insulator extends in a direction through the opening toward the exterior of the tank. The antenna has a cross sectional dimension which reduces in size as the antenna extends in the direction through the opening toward the exterior of the tank.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are described for determining a physical location of a client computer system. The client and server computer systems are coupled together to form a local area network. Identifying information is associated with a tag. The client computer system transmits a wireless query signal to a physical region. In response to the tag being located within the physical region, the tag receives the wireless query signal. In response to a receipt of the query signal by the tag, the tag transmits a reply signal. The reply signal includes the identifying information. In response to a receipt of the reply signal by the client computer system, the physical location of the client computer system is determined utilizing the identifying information.

Abstract: A buckle (10) for a collar (15) includes a plug portion (11) and a socket portion (12). The plug portion (11) includes pivotable arms (35 or 47) having lugs (36 or 50) formed on the ends thereof. A spring (40 or 55) biases the outer ends of the arms (35 or 47) away from each other. The socket portion (12) has an open end (27) and opposed side openings (28). When the arms (35 or 47) are received through the open end (27), the lugs (36 or 50) will be received through the side openings (28) to attach the plug portion (11) to the socket portion (12).

Abstract: Composite rotor blades are constructed from a honeycombed polymer interior core structure having a bonded glass skin covering associated with the top and bottom surfaces thereof. Over time, environmental conditions lead to cracks or fissures in the glass skin coverings allowing moisture to accumulate in the interior honeycomb core of the blade. The present apparatus and method removes this accumulated moisture from composite rotor blades as well as from other objects constructed of polymer composite materials in general and includes an atmospherically sealed container of sufficient size to house the rotor blades or other objects within the container. The apparatus includes support fixturing for holding the rotor blades or other objects suspended within the container, a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture level of the air cycled through the container, a heater to control the temperature within the container, and a vacuum mechanism for controlling the pressure inside the container.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided having n-type device layers of III-V nitride having donor dopants such as germanium (Ge), silicon (Si), tin (Sn), and/or oxygen (O) and/or p-type device layers of III-V nitride having acceptor dopants such as magnesium (Mg), beryllium (Be), zinc (Zn), and/or cadmium (Cd), either simultaneously or in a doping superlattice, to engineer strain, improve conductivity, and provide longer wavelength light emission.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are described for remotely controlling execution of a processor utilizing the processor's built-in test access port for debugging the execution of the processor. The client computer system is coupled to a server computer system utilizing a network. The server computer system transmits a signal to said client computer system to control execution of the processor utilizing the test access port. The signal identifies one of a plurality of processor actions. In response to a receipt of the signal, the processor executes the one of the plurality of processor actions such that the server computer system remotely debugs the execution of the processor utilizing the built-in test access port, wherein additional debug hardware is not utilized.

Abstract: A modular, universal, molded plastic flatbed type cart for carrying and supporting products includes variable product supporting metallic handles located at opposed ends of the cart. The handles include vertically extending posts that define at least one central channel completely open in an upward direction above the bed section of the cart and preferably another upwardly opening side channel located above the cart bed; continuous U-shaped handles, handles with a collapsible tray, and connector rails spanning the handles from one end of the cart to the other. The product handles are usable for manipulating the cart and are integrated into metal cart bed reinforcing elements.

Abstract: An overhead console arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided with a compartment that will accommodate therein any of a multiplicity of known garage door openers, and permit same to be actuated by application of an actuation pressure to the door of the compartment. The door of the compartment is provided with a resilient latching arrangement that precludes inadvertent opening of the door, yet permits inward displacement thereof to effect actuation of the garage door opener. The housing of the compartment preferably is integrally formed with structure for supporting a plurality of electrical elements that function independently ofthe garage door opener. These include switching elements for the sunroof of the vehicle and interior lighting, as well as a lighting enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment of subjects suffering from an infection or disease caused by herpes virus strains that are resistant to treatment with acyclovir. In particular, it has been discovered that the low dosage amounts of 1-(2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-.beta.-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil (FIAU) are effective in inhibiting replication of acyclovir-resistant HSV strains. The present invention is also directed to methods of the preparation of pharmaceutical antiviral compositions and to the methods of their use in the treatment of infection or disease.